April 24, 2015 – “D” is for Discipleship

“As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee he saw two brothers, Simon (called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea (for they were fishermen). He said to them, “Follow me, and I will turn you into fishers of people.” They left their nets immediately and followed him. Going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in a boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. Then he called them. They immediately left the boat and their father and followed him.” Matthew 4:18 – 22

Jesus called the disciples early in his ministry. As these men were working, carrying on the day-to-day work-a-day lives of survival, this itinerate preacher came along and invited them into something they could never have imagined. But they did not hesitate to follow, which is mind-boggling to many people reading the account of their calling today. These men who had responsibilities and family, simply drop everything and follow Jesus, without much conversation or questioning. This is an extreme level of discipleship that few can follow. But that does not get us off the hook for being good, faithful and obedient disciples.

Yes, only a few people throughout the history of the Christian church have been able to leave everything and follow Jesus. But many, many have lived faithful lives all the while living the Christ-like life in other vocations. Martin Luther believed that anyone could be a faithful disciple of Jesus – that it was not necessary to become a Priest or Nun to be close to G*d. He believed the baker, the butcher, the cobbler and the brewer could also be good, faithful disciples of Christ. We each need to find how we can live out our callings in the world and still be good disciples of Jesus.

How will you be a disciple of Jesus today? How can you continue in your work-a-day world and still be a disciple of Jesus?

Pastor Dave